Jun. 10, 2014
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A backlash has developed over Common Core academic standards. / Shutterstock

by Joseph Spector, Gannett

by Joseph Spector, Gannett

At a time when schools are beating back tougher testing standards, State University of New York Chancellor Nancy Zimpher announced Tuesday she will head a national group of college leaders that will promote the Common Core standards across the country.

Higher Ed for Higher Standards, a new coalition composed of more than 200 university officials from 33 states, comes on the heels of governors from Oklahoma and South Carolina opting to abandon Common Core last week.

It adds to an assortment of groups organized under the mission of dispelling "myths" about Common Core, countering resistance that has mounted in many statehouses.

Zimpher said the tougher testing is needed to prepare students for college.

"This is a call to action and I urge my colleagues in higher education to stand up and make their voices heard on Common Core," Zimpher said in a statement.

Zimpher has advocated for stronger secondary education, saying half of all students at SUNY's community colleges enroll in at least one remedial course.

Nationwide, 50 percent of students entering two-year colleges and 20 percent of students entering four-year colleges have to take remedial coursework because they weren't prepared in high school.

The group said it believes the standards can help colleges and universities in their efforts to reduce remediation rates and improve student success.

The vice chairman of the group is John Morgan, chancellor of the Tennessee Board of Regents.

"Every institution of higher learning has a clear and compelling interest in changing this trend," Morgan said.

"While our colleges are working to re-engineer our remedial developmental education approaches, despite our best efforts - no matter how good a job we do of that - there's really no possibility of matching the results that will be achieved by having students actually enter our institutions ready for college-level work."

On a conference call with reporters, Zimpher and Morgan said the Common Core standards shouldn't be tossed, even if the implementation is being delayed.

"Don't throw the baby out with the bath," Zimpher said.

Contributing:

Joey Garrison of The Tennessean; Spector is chief of the Gannett Albany (N.Y.) bureau